NBA Trade Rumors: Goran Dragic To Orlando Magic, Nikola Vucevic To Portland Trail Blazers In A 3-team, 7-player Deal [VIDEO]
NBA trade rumors are starting to swirl around Goran Dragic as of late. Speculations are saying that he is being targeted by Orlando Magic to add on their roster but they have to release Nikola Vucevic who might find his new home with the Portland Trail Blazers in a 3-team rumored trade deal.
Earlier reports indicated that the Orlando Magic badly needs a scorer who can put up big numbers on the board for them. Magic general manager Rob Hennigan earlier revealed that he is putting some players on the trading block in able to acquire the needed scorer they are looking for. And it seems that they are setting their sight to Dragic to be a potential target.
For quite some time, Dragic's name was never mentioned in the rumor mills at the start of the regular season. Dragic and Hassan Whiteside was assigned to carry the load for the Miami Heat after Dwyane Wade left them and Chris Bosh was not cleared to play because of his health condition. However, reports are now rumbling that Dragic might find himself playing for another team after recent stumbles of the Heat.
Now, a proposed trade deal is being recommended to the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Portland Trail Blazers that involves 7 players and a future draft pick. Trade scenario is suggesting as follows:
1. The Orlando Magic will acquire Goran Dragic and Willie Reed from the Heat;
2. The Miami Heat will then get Elfrid Payton from the Magic, Meyers Leonard and Noah Vonleh plus 2017 first-round (top 10 protected) from the Blazers;
3. Finally, the Portland Trail Blazers will obtain Nikola Vucevic from the Magic and Rodney McGruder from the Heat.
The massive NBA trade deal gave different advantages for all teams involved. The Magic will finally acquire a quality scorer in Dragic who could also lead the team in playmaking. He is a better upgrade in the backcourt for the Magic who only have D.J. Augustin, C.J. Watson, and Payton while Reed might find himself on the bench.
On the other hand, the Heat will get potential projects for their early rebuild. Though they may suffer their current campaign as of now but they will have a decent future on the horizon. Meanwhile, the Blazers will get a solid center in Vucevic who can be starter or backup for Mason Plumlee.
However, one roadblock is preventing this trade deal from happening. Meyers Leonard cannot be traded until January 15, 2017, which means the trade will not work under the NBA trade rules as per checking with ESPN NBA Trade Machine.
Nevertheless, the rumored trade deal between the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, and Portland Trail Blazers is still speculation only and none of the teams involved have confirmed or released any statement about it. Goran Dragic and Nikola Vucevic might stay put to their current teams for now but anything can happen in the NBA.
